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Monday, January 12, 2015

Can I just say how happy I am about Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards? I mean, even when the ceremony had clearly gone off the rails and honored The Grand Budapest Hotel instead of the far superior Birdman (or any other film for that matter), and Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) instead of David Oyelowo (Selma) or Steve Carrell (Foxcatcher). You know why? Because they took risks! They didn't just award the popular film or the more talked about actor. They actually had a personality. They actually went against their own standard, pulling out surprises (what elitists call "upsets") like J.K. Simmons' win for Whiplash (a great performance in a mediocre film) and Ruth Wilson's wonderfully complex portrayal in The Affair.

But, as you know (because I've been obsessive about it on this site), there was one major win that I desperately needed to happen going into the ceremony -- and that is Patricia Arquette for Boyhood. Guys, can I tell you that I screamed when she got up on the stage (donning a very unfortunate hair situation, by the way)? Her speech was pretty much my everything. Here's an excerpt from it:

"[Boyhood director Richard Linklater] placed in my hands the part of Olivia, an under-appreciated single mother. Thank you for shining a light on this woman and the millions of women like her, and allowing me to honor my own mother with this beautiful character."

In that brief speech, she pretty much underscored how important the character is to single parents, and those raised by single parents (like myself) -- and how beautiful and sensitively the character is written. Later in the night, Linklater (who won best director) capped off her moment with this awesome quote: "I want to dedicate this to families that are evolving in this world and are doing their best." Man, I love Boyhood. *INSERT TEARDROP HERE*

Another awesome moment that also was a tearjerker for me was when Gina Rodriguez won for Jane the Virgin. My Gawd, I wish the show was better because she has such talent and is so great on it. In her tear-filled speech, she acknowledged the significance of the moment as a Latina actress who is the lead of her own primetime comedy.

"This award is so much more than myself. It represents a culture that wants to see themselves as heroes. My father used to tell me to say every morning 'Today's going to be a great day, and I can and I will.' Oh Dad, today has been a great day. I can, and I did."

*INSERT TEARDROP HERE*

Going into the awards, I kinda figured Selma would win for best picture and director (though neither would be my personal choice), just because of all the conversation swirling around the film. A category I did think it deserved to win was best original song ("Glory"), so I was thrilled when Common and John Legend got to take the stage to receive the statue by none other than Prince (!!!). Common immediately took the mic and started freestyling delivered a moving speech. Here's some of it:

"The first day I stepped on the set of Selma, I began to feel that this was bigger than a movie. As I got to know the people of the civil rights movement, I realized I am the hopeful black woman who was denied her right to vote. I am the caring white supporter, killed on the front lines of freedom. I am the unarmed black kid, who maybe needed a hand but instead was given a bullet. I am the two fallen police officers murdered in the line of duty. Selma has awakened my humanity."

I didn't quite feel the same way Common did about the film, but if this movie can move anyone in this way, then that is is worth celebrating. Good for him for expressing this.

I'd be remissed if I didn't mention Michael Keaton's win for Birdman, basically reminding the world why he should be a religion that we all worship. I'm just glad that we're all talking about him again. We've been ignoring his work for far too long.

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Writer for hire, Lover of Snark, Former editor at Essence Magazine and Co-Host of the podcast, "Cinema in Noir".
I am mostly freelance writing right now, more so than blogging. You can find my work on The Mary Sue, Vice, Harper's Bazaar, Hello Beautiful, Thrillist, Birth.Movies.Death, and /Film. (https://www.clippings.me/candicefrederick)
I am also a member of the Online Film Critics Society, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and LAMB (Large Association of Movie Bloggers). My aim for this blog is to write honest, compelling film reviews and commentary that highlight my perspective on film, TV and diversity in pop culture.